Owens’ Winter Pops concert to benefit Cherry Street Mission

Popular music can often inspire great things and Owens Community College is hoping its Winter Pops concert inspires music lovers to open both their hearts and their wallets for the less fortunate.

The benefit show for Cherry Street Mission Ministries is set for 1:30 p.m. March 3, at the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for Performing Arts at the Toledo area campus, 30335 Oregon Road, in Perrysburg. Doors open at 1 p.m.

“I myself have supported the mission for many years and then this past August Dan Rogers, their president and CEO, came to my church and was talking about their need for further funding,” said Fred Dais, Owens’ adjunct instructor in fine and performing arts as well as the concert band conductor. “That’s when we started talking about the idea of doing a benefit concert. I brought it to Owens and they thought it was a great idea. The mission is looking to acquire the old Macomber building in an effort to not only condense its operations into one central location, but to offer space for community events.”

Owens’ Fine and Performing Arts Co-Interim Chair Michael Sander will be sharing his musical talents as part of a xylophone solo performance during the concert. The other co-interim chair, Kevin Schroeder, will also be featured during a joint artistic painting/musical selection titled “The Music of Disneyland.” Schroeder will showcase his artistic talents on stage by painting a Walt Disney-themed mural to the accompaniment of the Owens Concert Band.

“We don’t have a set financial goal in mind with this show — anything we can do will help. We are looking to do more community outreach in addition to our regular program. There are so many organizations that can use the help,” Dais said. “In terms of why people should come to this event, I just think it will be a treat for the listener. We went with popular music because we wanted to do something that everyone might like. You don’t have to be a sophisticated music lover to love this show; we’re trying to help how we can and feature folks here at the college. There is so much talent here and we’re very proud to be able to share it with the community.”

While the concert is free and open to the public, donations will be accepted and greatly appreciated, Dais said.